Okinawan Sanshin: Uniquely Okinawan in its design and materials, it is ubiquitous throughout the island chain.  It can be found in every household, though few people actually play it anymore.  It is the ultimate portable instrument and, before the advent of recorded music technology,  was taken everywhere and played everyday. It is so connected to the people that it is referred to as “the soul of Okinawa.”

Interestingly, the sanshin has gained an interest with modern pop musicians (BEGIN , Rimi Natsukawa) and “rock groups” due to a resurgence in Okinawan culture and identity.  Check out these YouTube videos,  “Soul of Okinawan Music”  and  “Strings of the Okinawan Soul”.